-Jack Dodgen

A few weeks ago, I jokingly asked Spencer before we went over the show notes, “so how liberal is this one going to be?”

It may come as a surprise to you that Spencer and I are not always on the same wave-length when it comes to the podcast. There are times when I ask to have certain caveats added to a section or where I ask Spencer to say something along the lines of “I think this, but Jack does not.”

This being the case, why do I continue to record these podcasts? Why publicly engage in discussion that I’m not always fully on-board with? The answers to why I do this are what I want to write about today.

Whether you care or not about the podcast, I encourage you to read on, because my response is ultimately about why I talk openly to those on both sides of me and why you ought to do the same.

It’s how I want to be treated.

For all the talk of wanting to “connect the world“, Facebook, and really the internet as a whole, has only served to isolate us further socially. It has become easier to find content that agrees with me and affirms my already held beliefs, block the content that challenges or disagrees with my beliefs, and talk about the latter groups with the former. In other words, there is a lot of talking about on the internet, and not a lot of talking to. The golden rule (“do unto others“; Matthew 7:12) still applies when online as does the warning against “biting and devouring” one another (Galatians 5:13-15).

I engage in these conversations because being talked to about what I believe and why instead of talked about by people who assume they know what I believe and why is how I want to be treated.

The world is having these conversations.

Though not on TikTok myself, I am aware of many TikTok “scholars” who talk about all sorts of theological concepts and ideas, and what’s more, these influencers are popular. Unfortunately, these conversations are often only deconstructions that undermine belief in Christ or the Bible. Shouldn’t we have these discussions about authorship, eschatology, composition, etc. in a way that acknowledges the challenges without undermining faith? I think so.

I engage in these conversations because the podcast provides a way to build faith by having these discussions.

These people exist in our congregations.

Piggy-backing off the previous section, there are people in our congregations having these conversations. Before I get to this point, I want to state something about preaching, and my preaching in particular.

I think often about my responsibility as a preacher. It is my job to proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and I do so to the best of my ability. I have preached on social topics and made my beliefs and convictions well known to my congregation. I have not shied away from conversations about abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, leadership roles, hook-up culture, divorce, eschatology, or any other, to my knowledge, so-called “big” topics. I say this for two reasons.

First, it isn’t uncommon for detractors to talk about people like me as we we’re soft, stand for nothing, and have no beliefs of our own. Is this sometimes the case? Sure, but not with me. I do not do this podcast because I have no beliefs of my own or because I’m so unable to think for myself that I let scholars dictate my positions. I have convictions and I preach them with as much passion and empathy I can muster.

Second, I mention my preaching because, even though I may openly share my beliefs and convictions in my preaching and teaching, there are people in my congregation who feel differently about subject “X, Y, or Z”. Do I want those people to believe the same as me? Yeah, that’d be great, but that’s not reality. The next best thing I can hope for is to continue to have discussions about “X, Y, or Z” with them as we work together. Sometimes people leave, but others stay, have discussions about their disagreements, and find unity in the shared beliefs and in the work being done for the Lord in our community.

I engage in these conversations because, in my ministry, I regularly interact with others who think differently than me. In this way, the podcast shows how to have discussion even when opinions differ, something I try to foster in my personal preaching and teaching.

Conclusion

There’s more I thought about saying.

I wanted to write about my belief that we cannot have change, like that in the Restoration Movement so many years ago, without actively and openly engaging in conversation with those we disagree with.

I wanted to write about the hypocrisy of those who chastise others for speaking to “liberals” and then go on to quote from dead authors that openly held beliefs more liberal than the ones the detractor is upset about.

For now, I’ll end this discussion here, though comments and messages are always welcome, and move into some application for all of us.

There’s application in this for all of us. While most of us will not have a podcast with someone who has different beliefs than us, we will all talk to those who share different beliefs. When it comes to non-Christian interaction, we understand the need for kindness, candor, and grace in the sharing of our beliefs (Colossians 4:5-6). The same behavior ought to be extended to those who are believe Jesus is the Son of God, are baptized into His name, and hold the Bible as the inspired word of God, even if they might think differently about the Holy Spirit, eschatology, communion, divorce and remarriage, canon composition, instruments in worship, women’s roles, etc.

This is not a call to accept all beliefs as truth, nor is it a call to “be nice” and never pushback. This is a call to put yourself in a position not only to challenge beliefs, but have your own beliefs challenged. The more we engage in these conversations, the more we have the opportunity to grow, either through the defense of our beliefs or the learning of something new.

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As an additional point of application, I would encourage you not to be concerned or afraid of what people may so to you about having these conversations. You are not sinful for talking to someone with more liberal ideas than you (I say this as it is normally those more conservative than me that are upset with these conversations). You are not a bad person for wanting to maintain a dialogue with someone who thinks more conservatively or liberally than you. Ignore this notion of needing to fall into “party lines” with your beliefs. Study, ask questions, seek answers from people you trust on “both sides” of the aisle.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

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